An easy guide for how to get to Ios by Ferry, schedules and prices for the Ferry to/from Ios and recommendations for public transportation and services. Explore the website and find all necessary details for the Ferry to Ios; Connected Routes with departures and frequency, Accommodation options with real-time Availability and helpful tips for transfer opportunities in Ios!
We have prepared a small user guide that will help passengers to get to Ios as easily and pleasantly as possible.
Find useful information on how to get to Ios by ferry, local public transportation options to reach your overnight hotel in Ios, port addresses and embarkation offices, ferry schedules and prices for Ios ferry and real-time departures and arrivals with the ferry to/from Ios.
All year round there are ferries running to Ios from Athens/ Piraeus, while from May to September there are frequent ferries from Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Milos, Crete (Heraklion and Rethymnon), Mykonos, Rhodes, Kos, Astypalea and from some other Aegean Islands.
Getting to Ios by ferry is the best option you have and it can be a very nice and exciting experience and especially if you are doing some island-hopping too. Greek islanders are seasoned ferry experts and they prefer to travel by ferry to/from Ios because of the convenience and flexibility it affords!
Cars are allowed on most ferries running to or from Ios, for an additional fee and children usually travel for half price!
- There is a choice of Conventional and High-speed catamaran ferries running frequently to/from Ios with stops along the way.
Give a departure port and a date and find all possible ferry to/from Ios destinations!
Notice: Each year and depending on the period, there may be more or fewer connections to/from Ios. The biggest shipping companies (ferry operators) announce the new ferry schedules to and from Ios by the end of December and the rest of them by January-March each year!
Public transportation services in Ios
Ios island is connected daily from Athens/Piraeus harbor and frequently from Rafina port (Athens). The ferries also connect Ios with other islands, including Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, Paros and Crete.
The ferry port in Ios
- The main port of the island is located in Yialos.
Public Bus Service on Ios
- Ios public buses serve visitors with a variety of routes and vehicles.
- There are local buses leaving from Ios port to Chora and the famous beach of Mylopotas. The buses are available between 08:00 and 24:00 and runs every 20 minutes.
The main directions of the public bus network:
- Mylopotas Beach – Chora – Port – Tzamaria – Koumbara and back
The bus runs once per hour between 11.00 and 23.00.
- Ios port – Chora – Mylopotas – Maganari Beach and back
The bus runs once per hour between 11.00 and 23.00.
- Ios port – Chora – Mylopotas – St. Theodoti Beach – Psathi Beach and back
The bus runs once per hour between 11.00 and 23.00.
The tickets can be purchased by the bus collector, and the price can vary from 1.80 to 2.50 Euros per person and per route.
- The main station in the port: Adamopoulou str., close to Akteon hotel
- The main station in Chora: Near Archeological Museum of Ios
- Tel.: +30 2286092015, +30 2286091936
- E-mail: info@ktel-ios.gr
Taxis on Ios
In Ios there are 3 taxis, taking you anywhere on the island. The charge for the distance from the port to Chora is approx. 5-8 Euros.
Taxi stations are located in Chora at the central bus station and in Yialos port right in front of the ferry boat pier.
The phone numbers of the taxi drivers are:
- Bouzalakos Panagiotis: +30 6977031708
- Maria: +30 6978734491
- Moraitis Kostas: +30 2286091745
- Nikiforos George: +30 2286061606
Tip: Most of the hotels on Ios have their own minibus and will transfer you from the hotel to the port or vice versa. Try ringing them to find out if this service is available!
Schedules, prices and availability to Ios by ferry
Book your ferry to/from Ios with any ferry company that suits you better and enjoy your journey in Greece! The “Easy-Way” booking system of go-ferry.com, allows the most reliable online ferry reservations and offers cheaper, faster and better services for your ferry ticket to or from Ios.
With go-ferry.com you are able to connect online with the reservation systems of the most Greek shipping companies, to compare prices, to find information about routes and vessels, to look for alternative routes and to print instantly your Ios ferry confirmation.
Ferry timetables may change by season, so take an optical canvassing via our search engine to receive the latest cull of dates, schedules, prices and availability to/from Ios by ferry. With so many accommodation options to cull from, you can be sure to find the best deal for the ferry to or from Ios at a price that fits your budget.
Complete the under bellow fields and click on SHOW to compare the prices of all operators that run to and from Ios by ferry!
Book in advance your ferry to/from Ios
Arrange your ferry journey to/from Ios in advance
It is very important that you have organized your ferry to or from Ios in advance, having arranged all the details. You don't want something to go wrong, and you can achieve perfect holidays with a great organization. In addition to hotel accommodation and air-tickets, when you book the boat tickets to or from Ios you know that everything is under control even before leaving home.
There are many reasons why you should arrange to book in advance your ferry to/from Ios. Here are some of the most important:
Pay for Hotel in Ios without using it!
During the high season in Greece, and especially in July and August, it is likely that you won't find ferry tickets to popular destinations, such as Ios, if you don't book them in advance. So, don't make the mistake to book your hotel on Ios without having booked the ferry pass to/from Ios. The last thing you want is to get to the port and not find an available ferry to or from Ios!
Save time in Ios!
Although we charge a commission for acquiring ferry bookings to/from Ios, this allows you not only to secure your ferry tickets o/from Ios but also to save time in Ios; besides receiving a service and attention of first.
Have a bigger choice of Ios Ferry Tickets!
Buying in advance gives you a better chance of getting the ferry tickets to/from Ios, on the ferry you prefer and at the schedule you want. It does not make sense that your trip to/from Ios is interrupted by not finding available ferry departures, but it is possible.
Find more Ios Ferry routes!
If you want to organize your vacations to or from Ios, it is wise to check all the possible routes and timelines in order to make the right combinations between Ios and other destinations as well as between the air and the ferry tickets. Online, you can have an overview of all the routes going to or from Ios.
Get the best deal by Ios Ferry prices!
Ferry tickets to/from Ios can be expensive, so it’s natural to want to get the best deal on them. It has become a regular practice for ferries to announce special rates and deep discounts for booking ferry tickets to or from Ios up to 3-6 months in advance.
Feeling Great having Ios ferry ticket in your pocket!
You will feel a great feeling when having the ferry confirmation to or from Ios in your hands. The reservation with us will allow you to secure your ferry to or from Ios, you will be relieved to have the confirmation in your hands or on your smartphone!
Accommodation options on the ferry to Ios
Find out about the ferry types that are running to/from Ios, choose the ideal accommodation option on the ferry to/from Ios and get fresh and relaxed at your destination. Comfortable armchairs, business class comfort seats, outside and inside cabins or economy deck chairs. There is a range of accommodation options to choose for a day or night ferry to or from Ios.
About Ios
Ios, Greece (or Nios), as the locals call it, is one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades complex. Due to its vivid night life it has an international fame especially among young people. It is located among Santorini, Paros and Naxos and is full of bays and vast sandy beaches. Its coastline is 81.5 km long, 32 km of which are sandy beaches.
According to ancient mythology, Ios was the home place of Homer’s mother and the place where he was buried. Archeologists have discovered a first Cycladic settlement in Skarko and ruins of historic times. Paliokastro, located in the NE side of the island, was built during the Byzantine period (7th-8th centuries). Ios was under Venetian occupation until 1537 and then was occupied by the Ottomans. It extends over 108 km2 and has 1.830 inhabitants.
About Ios
- Homer’s Tomb: Ios is proud to host the Tomb of the Greatest Poet, Homer. This is not just a legend but it can be proved by the ancient documents of writers such as Herodotus, Pausanias, Alkeos, Skylax, Stravon, Efstathios and Plinios. It is also known that Homer’s mother was born in Ios. The tomb is located in Plakotos area in the north side of Ios, on top of a hill. The access by car is easy and from there visitors can enjoy the view of the Aegean Sea and the surrounding islands. The Municipality of Iites is planning to build in the area of the tomb an Academy of Homer Studies which with international coverage.
- “Odysseus Elitis” theater: “Odysseus Elitis” Theater is an open-air Theater, built out of local stones and marbles and is located in Tsoukalaria area, close to Chora at the end of Anemomili area. This theater is the only place in Greece bearing the name of the famous Poet of the Aegean sea, Odysseus Elitis. It can seat 1.100 spectators and was inaugurated in 1997. It can be easily accessed either by car or on foot. The Municipality of Iites organizes here many summer concerts and theatrical performances in the frames of “OMIRIA” Culture Festival. Nevertheless, you should visit it even if there is no event. Visitors can admire the amazing view of Chora, Limani, Milopota, the surrounding islands and enjoy a beautiful sunset.
- Paleokastro: The Byzantine “Paleokastro” castle is located in the northeastern side of Ios island. It is built on top of a hill and Byzantines were using it to observe the sea routes from Constantinople to Crete. Noteworthy is also the fact that the castle was communicating with castles in Naxo, Amorgo and Santorini through visual signs (fires). The area is easily accessible and the visitors should take the car or the bus and follow the road from Chora to Psathi and reaching Paleokastro hill to follow the pathway to the top. Apart from the walls, the facilities of the castle and Panagia Paleokastritissa church, visitors can also admire the view of the Aegean sea and the surrounding islands (Naxo, Iraklia, Amorgo, Donousa).
Archeological Sites
- First Cycladic Settlement of Skarkos: In the northwestern part of Ios and on Skarkos hill the 21st Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities discovered the First Cycladic Settlement which dates back to 2.800 B.C. Its findings are exhibited at the Archeological Museum of Ios and prove that ancient Ios was a socially and culturally developed community that had close commercial connections with other islands of the Cycladic complex. The houses of the settlement are two-storey separated from each other with 2 m wide roads and squares. Nowadays, the Settlement can be visited after taking the permission from the 21st Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities while soon they are planning to leave the site open for everyone.
- Walls of Ios Ancient City: In the northwestern part of Chora you can see the walls of Ios Ancient City. The preserved parts prove that the Ancient City was protected by a strong peripheral wall of almost Cyclopean dimensions. The wall is easy to access.
Museums
- Archaeological Museum of Ios: The Archeological Museum of Ios is located in Chora (capital city of Ios island) housed in a room on the ground floor of the City Hall Mansion. It hosts a great collection of antiquities covering the history of Ios from the 3rd millennium B.C. up to the Roman Period. The exhibits are divided into units (depending on the theme) and are placed in separate halls. In the Museum however, dominate the findings of the First Cycladic Settlement of Skarkos. The Museum’s visiting hours are everyday (except on Monday) from 08.30 to 15.00 (Tel: 22860 91246)
- Jean Marie Dro Museum of Modern Arts: It is a privately owned Museum of Modern Arts. There are no specific work hours or days and it can be visited after requesting permission from the owner. It is accessible only on foot, through a pathway.
- The Municipality of Iites is planning to build two more Museums; Giannis Gaitis-Gavriella Simosi Museum of Modern Arts and the Folklore Museum of Ios. The construction of the two buildings has already been auctioned and the project will be starting soon. Gaiti-Simosi Museum will house works of the great artist Gianni Gaiti and his wife Gabriella Simosi. At the same time some other great Greek and foreign artists have agreed to offer some of their works. The Museum will be constructed in an area close to "Odisseas Elitis" theater and together with the renovated windmills they will become beautiful and unique cultural places. The Folklore museum will gather all wealth of Folklore of Ios in a modern, stylish and easy to visit area.
Windmills
The traditional windmills of Ios are located in the northeastern side of Chora. It is characteristic is that Ios is the only island in the Cyclades complex with so many windmills gathered in one area (13 in total). Tourists can visit two renovated windmills that belong to the Municipality of Iites and one privately owned windmill. It is noteworthy that all the three windmills are fully operational. The Municipality of Iites is planning to renovate one more windmill.
Churches
Churches and chapels of Ios:
In Ios there are 365 churches and chapels. Also remarkable is the fact that only in Chora of Ios there are 26 small and large churches. Many of them are Byzantine churches and you can still visit them if you arrange it with the priests. Some of the main churches of Ios are Evaggelismos tis Theotokou (the Assumption of the Virgin Mary-Metropolitan church), Panagia Gremiotissa (on the top of the hill in Chora-with unique view), Panagia Kountoutiani, Zoodochos Pigi, Panagia - dependency of Chozoviotissa monastery in Amorgos island and Aghia Irini in Limano of unique architecture. It is also worth to visit the remarkable Aghios Ioannis monastery in Kalamos and Aghios Ioannis monastery in Pirgos.
Island Cuisine
The island cuisine includes a variety of dishes and pastries made of local products (wheat, barley, pulses, vegetables and dairy products):
- Tsimetia - Pumpkin flower stuffed with rice
- Matsi – handmade traditional Greek type of pasta
- Mermitzeli – handmade pasta (it is called "small barley weed” because of its shape)
- Sougli - small pancakes made of flour, water and olive oil
- Aranto and Tsiaride – type of sougli (small pancake)
- Mazali – typo of cream for children and old people
are some of the typical dishes.
The meat soup accompanied with pasta, chic-peas or potatoes was always part of great Christian celebrations, feasts, engagement parties and weddings.
Furthermore, tzares (clay pots with olive oil), kioupia (tuck boxes) with smocked meat or figs, cheese in salamoura (brine) and olives were the main products found in every house.
There was also a variety of local pastries and sweets. Sarpi is thickened milk offered at weddings as a dessert.
Pastelia (mixture of sesame and honey – very hard to chew) is a traditional sweet that accompanied all great Christian celebrations and weddings, engagements or christenings.
Kalasounia or kaltsounia are pies made of flaky pastry, mizithra (skim-milk cheese), honey and cinnamon.
Mosenta or watermelon pie is made of watermelon juice, flour, sugar, sesame, honey and cinnamon. The watermelon sweet is made of small pieces of watermelon rinds with honey, cinnamon and gillyflower clove.
The so called peltes was just quince juice.
After the wedding ceremony the married couple accompanied by a group of people playing music, would go to the bride's house where her mother would offer them a spoon of honey in order their life together to be "as sweet as honey". The family was also offering pastelia, avgokalamara, xerotigana, melitinia, kalasounia and tsikoudia (drink that tastes like ouzo).
The main course of wedding celebration was boiled meat accompanied with potatoes, pasta or chick-peas. Wine or tsikoudia were the main drinks offered during the celebration. At the end of the celebration they would offer sarpi - cream made of milk in which women added yeast to make it thicker.
Food and pasties were usually made in large mess pots and the two families shared all wedding expenses.
Sports
Windsurf, Water ski
In Milopota, Limani and Magganari beaches visitors can find organized water sports centers where they can rent windsurfs or do water ski. These centers offer also the opportunity to do other water sports (banana rides, tubes etc), as well as canoe and water bicycle. In Limani and Milopota beaches visitors can also rent a boat with outboard engines and visit the less approachable beaches of Ios island.
Agrotourism
After informing local stock breeders, visitors can go to their farms and watch the procedure of stock breeding (how animals graze, milk, cheese making and dairy goods production). The same can be done with fishermen and bee-keepers of the island. (Information: Municipality of Iites, tel: 22860 91505)
